Inhibitors

What is an Inhibitor?

An inhibitor is, by definition, a chemical substance that prevents a chemical reaction from occurring.

Examples of inhibitors are antibiotics that slow down the oxidation of metals or inhibitors of bacterial enzymes.

Corrosion Inhibitors are one of the most effective ways to protect metal surfaces against corrosion. Their effectiveness depends on their chemical composition, molecular structure and the adsorption thickness of the inhibitors on the metal surface.

Corrosion Inhibitors come in the form of ionic liquids, polyionic liquids and graphene. Among these corrosion inhibitors, graphene attracts attention due to its remarkable properties, embedding and production strategies.

Characterization of such inhibitors for anti-corrosion coatings and precise definition of structure-property-performance relationships are important.

Inhibitors provide an opportunity to create new generation PIL based coatings. In this way, PIL corrosion inhibitors with different forms of heteroatoms provide better metal protection due to higher barrier properties. This makes PIL corrosion inhibitors unique.

In addition, it is obvious that the inhibitor obtained by the combination of Ionic Liquid, PIL and Graphene can contribute to the final preventive corrosion coating.

BENZOTRIAZOLE (BENZOTRIAZOLE)

What is a Corrosion Inhibitor?

Corrosion inhibitors can be classified in several different ways, depending on the type of metal and the environment they are used in. The main types of corrosion inhibitors are:

• Anodic Inhibitors : These inhibitors interact with the anodic region of the metal, slowing down the corrosion process. They usually form a protective film on oxidizable metal surfaces. The most common anodic inhibitors are chromates, molybdates and phosphates.
• Cathodic Inhibitors : Cathodic inhibitors act in the cathodic regions of corrosion cells by reducing the corrosion current. These inhibitors work by preventing the formation of hydrogen gas on the metal surface. The main cathodic inhibitors are zinc, calcium and magnesium salts.
• Mixed Inhibitors : These inhibitors are effective in both anodic and cathodic areas. They form a general protective film on the metal surface that prevents corrosion. Carboxylates and organic amines are included in this group.
• Oxygen Inhibitors : The presence of oxygen often accelerates corrosion. Corrosion is inhibited by oxygen inhibitors by chemically binding dissolved oxygen in water. Commonly used oxygen inhibitors are sodium sulfate and hydrazine.
• Film-Forming Inhibitors : The purpose of these inhibitors is to prevent direct contact between the metal and its environment, creating a protective thin film. This slows or stops the corrosion process. Common film-forming inhibitors include organophosphorus compounds and organic amines.

What are Corrosion Inhibitors?

All types and methods used in metal structures and equipment for corrosion prevention. They can be used with or without corrosion inhibitors. The main corrosion protection methods and materials are:

• Coatings : A common way to prevent corrosion is to coat metal surfaces with protective coatings. These coatings interrupt corrosion by preventing contact between the metal and its environment. Metal surfaces are often protected with paints, varnishes, epoxy coatings, and powder coatings.
• Galvanization : The process of coating steel and iron surfaces with zinc is called galvanization. Zinc protects iron and steel surfaces before corrosion begins. Metal structures used outdoors and in harsh environmental conditions are protected by galvanization.
• Cathodic Protection : In this method, corrosion is prevented by turning the metal surface into a cathode. Cathodic protection is applied by two main methods: applied current protection and galvanic anode protection. These methods are used in pipelines, tanks and large metal structures.
• Anodic Protection : Anodic protection slows down the corrosion process by making the surface act as an anode. It is often used to protect stainless steel and other alloys.
• Use with Corrosion Inhibitors : When the physical methods mentioned above are combined with chemical corrosion inhibitors , they provide greater effectiveness in terms of physical protection. For example, when the metal surface is painted and the inhibitor is added at the same time, a multi-faceted protection is provided.
• Material Selection : The first step in corrosion prevention is to select corrosion- resistant materials. In critical applications, corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, titanium and alloy metals are used.
• Environmental Control : It is important to control environmental conditions to slow down the corrosion process. Methods such as humidity control, oxygen reduction or removal of corrosive substances are applied.

Extending the life of metal structures and equipment relies on corrosion inhibitors and corrosion prevention methods. Corrosion weakens metal surfaces, compromises structural integrity and increases safety risks. Therefore, corrosion control is critical to ensure the efficient and safe operation of industrial processes, infrastructures and equipment.

Direct chemical action to protect metal surfaces is also provided by means of corrosion inhibitors . In reality, various types of inhibitors are available, such as anodic, cathodic inhibitors, film-forming inhibitors and oxygen inhibitors, and the protection obtained is often extensive. Corrosion prevention techniques such as coatings, galvanization, cathodic protection and material selection provide both physical and chemical protection to metal surfaces simultaneously.

For successful corrosion control, the right inhibitors and prevention methods must be selected. It is important to make this selection according to the environments where metal surfaces are exposed to certain conditions and corrosion mechanisms. With appropriate applications, metal structures will have a longer life, less costly maintenance and can operate safely.